Well system and method of priming



Feb. 9, 1965 H. A. TUBES WELL. SYSTEM AND METHOD OF' PRIMING Filed Oct. 16 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

#gu/ARD A. 70555.

Feb. 9, 1965 Filed Oct. 16 1962 H` A. TUBES WELL SYSTEM AND METHOD 0F' PRIMING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y @WA/Po A. M955 A v' raf/vf y "United States Patent t() The invention relates to well systems of the type normally used in supplying Water in rural areas for domestic or commercial purposes.

v.The invention further relates to the method of priming the storage tank of such a Well system. iriming of the storage tank referred tohereinaiter is delined as the process of building up the pressure within the storage tank from atmospheric or zero to the desired range while also accomplishing the desired water level to 'oe maintained in `the tank or normal operation.

in particular, the invention relates to the type of well system employing a pressurized storage tank in which an air volume control is utilized for releasing excess air romwvithin the tank as desired. In a system of this type a charge of air is introduced into the'water storage tank in each cycle of pump operation and a control device is necessary to etect aV discharge of excess air.

The pumping device most commonly used in this type of well system would be of the submersible type wherein the pump is located `withinthe Well casing and the pump together with its motor is `suspended from a drop or feed pipe which delivers the Water from Within the well casing to the storage tank.

In a system of this type the air volume control most commonly used incorporates a valve controlled by a lloat which responds to the condition of the water level 'inthe storage tank. ln pumping systems employing pressure ranges between 2O lbs. ands-0 lbs. the weight of the float and the size of the valve, which it controls, does not present any undue problems, however, where the pressure range is increase to a 4t) lbs. to 6u lbs. system, problems arise witlrreierence to the weight of the lloat and the size of the valve which it controls. The problems are` enhanced because such a well system, when initially installed, must go through a virgin cycle of pump operation rin which the pressure Within the storage `tank is zero (atmospheric).

The principal object oi the invention is toprovide a Well system in which the problems are minimized'where the higher pressure ranges are involved. y p

A further object is to provide a method `of improving and expediting the priming ofthe storage tank, particularly in the initial stage of introducing water therein When the air pressure is zero or atmospheric.

.A further object is to provide an air volume control which functions more satisfactorily than prior art devices under higher pressure range conditions.

A further specific object is to providein an air volume control a float whic utilizes the Water within thestorage tank for establishing its weightV characteristics.

Y A further object is to `provide an air volume control inV which thelloat can employ a variableweight as desired.

Willi this type of lloat a larger size valve 'can be employed.

Other obiects and advantages of `the invention will be apparent from the ensuing specilication and appent'ed.

drawings in which.: y

`FlGURE l is a schematic view of one type of well sys tem andthe air volume control yemployed therewith.

"FGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional-detail view of a portion of the system of `FGURE 1.

A g FGURE. 3 is an enlarged detailview of the air volume control employed in the system of FGURE l. p

l .plained hereinafter.

tank to atmosphere through the discharge pipe 20 at out-V FGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional View of a modied form of air Volume `control for use in the system of FG- URE 1.

FiGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional detail View taken on the line -S or" FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of a well system employingan air volume control of the horizontal type.

FGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the air volume control employed in the system of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail vieuI of the valve shown in FEGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 1t) is a sectional detail view taken on the line liltti of FlGURE 7.

The type of well system shown in FGURE l includes the Well casing A, which in practice would be made up of sections of pipe secured together to form a continuous pipe extending down into the ground to a depth sufcient to encounter the source of water. The well easing normally has a common inside diameter throughout its length to accommodate the pump and motor unit B which is submerged at all times below water level within the casing. The pump and motor unit is suspended from the drop pipeC which, of course, is formed of sections connected together so as to extend throughout the length of the well casing continuously. The upper end of the drop pipe is connected to the Water distributor D from whence the water enters the storage tank E and is dispensed into the house or other place of usage through the discharge pipe F (only a portion of which is shown). Suitable electric wiring G leads. from the source of electricity (not shown) into the interior of the Well casing, down through the distributor head and on down through the Well casing to the pump and motor unit. A pressure switch H `of conventional construction is responsive to the air pressure within the storage tank for automatically controlling the operation of the pump and motorfunit. t i

The distributor D may be formed of a single casting andsuitable elastic 0-ring seals l@ and ll close oi the upper and lower sections lZand i3 of the well casing from theinterior or" the storage tank E. The water thus travels up through the-drop or eed pipe C from the pump and motor unit through the passage ld in the distributor and thence through the opening l5 in the well casing into the interior of the storage tank E.

lt isnecessary to introduce-air into the interior of the storage tank as needed to provide a suitable air cushion above the water level in the tank for pressurizing the system and this air is introduced into the tank through appropriate bleeders 17 and i8 in a manner to be ex- "xcess air is discharged from the ductors Gand then into the interior of casing section i3;

When the pump is operating, water isbeingrdelivered up through the drop pipe and into the interior ofthestorage tank until the pressuresfwitch opens the electrical ciri cuit to the pump motor.` Then when the pump ceases.

operating, a Oneway check valve 24 prevents the Water in the storage tank' from runningl backdown through the drop pipe,`fhowever, the receding of the water within the drop pipe below the check valveQZ/i' causesa suction condition to commence building up within the drop pipe between the check valve 24 and the upper bleeder 17. The valve ball 26 within the chamber of bleeder 17 is sucked over against the inner wall of the Achamber to the position as shown in FIGURE 2, however, the passage 27a is not blocked off and permits air to be drawn therev through (past the valve ball) and on into the interior of the drop pipe C. Air commences entering the drop pipe through passage 27a even though there is still a column of water in the drop pipe between the check valve 24 and upper bleeder 17. When the water in the drop pipe recedes to the level of passage 27a, then it recedes considerably more rapidly (while draining out through the lower bleeder 18) until the water level reaches the bleeder 18. The water within the drop pipe will remain at a level in the vicinity ofthe second bleeder 18, check valve 29 at the pump motor unit preventing the water level from receding any further. The check valve 29 may be of the same general construction as the check valve 24 and the bleeder 13 may be of the same general construction as the bleeder 17.

The check valves and bleeders are of conventional construction. Thus, with a column of air supplied within the drop pipe, when the pump next operates, a charge of air is pushed through the check valve 24. and on into the storage tank ahead ofthe column of water coming up through the drop pipe. As has been previously explained, if too much air is introduced into the storage tank, the excess will be expelled out through the pipe Ztl by operation of the air volume control.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, I have shown the air volume control in detail. It includes a cylindrical outer casing or sleeve 3@ of tubular construction having a converging end portion 31 with opening 3in1. The other end of thesleeve is telescopically mounted on the annular shoulder 32 of the itting 33. The casing or sleeve is anchored to such fitting` as by means of a suitable adhesive. The itting has an externally threaded end 34 which is threaded into the-coupling 35 into which the lower end of discharge pipe 20 is likewise threaded.- The fitting 33 has an axial bore 36 which communicates with a restricted passage or air discharge opening 37 which terminates at the valve seat 33. The bore 39 receives the valve stem 40 which has a resilient valve block 4l secured in the end thereof. The float 42 includes a cylindrical shell or casing portion 43 closed oit at Vits lower end by means of a circular cap44 which is secured thereto as by means of a suitable adhesive. A similar circular cap 44a closes ott the upper end of the shell 43 and also serves as a mounting for the cylindrical cap portion 46 at the upper" end ofthe tloat. The. cap 46 has an axially inwardly extending boss 47 into which Vthe lower end 48 of the valve steml is secured. Suitable ribs 49,v serve to strengthen the cap 46 and the boss 47. Thus, the upper end of the iloat is provided with a closed chamber 51 with air-trapped therein above the circular partition wall 52. The inwardly converging end'l of 'Y casing 30 prevents the float from dropping any appreciable distance so that the valve plunger is always maintained within the bore 39. l

The casing 30 has an opening 55 near the upper end ing 30 when the water in the storage tank is rising in the interior thereof. The. casing section 43 of the oat has an opening 56 in its wall to permit entry of water into the During the virgin cycle of the operation of the-pump,

the air pressure within the tank is zero or atmospheric. As the water level in the tank rises the float will be resting inthe bottom of the shell 3) in the position as indiy cated by the dottedi'lines atvt). The valve is open and a small amount of air is escaping through passage 37,

bore 36 and discharge pipe Ztl. The chamber 5'7` in the suesse? l thereof to prevent any pressure build up within the casv lloat is filled with air and hence the float is in its condition of lightest weight and will be of such buoyancy as to close ofl the valve plug il against the valve seat 38 at an early time during the rising of the water level in the storage tank. That is, the iloat will close olf the valve before the water level in the tank reaches the opening 56. Thus the escape of air through passage 37 will be cut oit at an early stage during rising water level, thereby permitting a more rapid pressurizing of the interior of the storage tank. 1

As the water level rises in the tank above the levelV of opening 56, the chamber 57 commences filling with water thereby adding additional weight to the iloat. The valve will, however, remain closed since the Water in the storage tank is common with the water inside of the iloat, the specitic gravity of such water beingrconstant. vSince the air pressure in the tank was at zero, the water will continue rising in the tank to an abnormally high level before the tank pressure reaches 60 lbs. operation of the pump may be needed before an adequate quantity of air is trapped within the tank to complete the priming process. In other words, the rst cycle of operation of the pump may result `in the water level reaching a height in the tank such that the valve will remainy closed through several subsequent cycles of operation of the pump. Thus a new quantity of air is being added into the tank each time the pump operates without any air being expelled from the tank. The water level in the tank keeps receding to a new level after each cycle of pump operation until the desired level for normal operation is reached wherein the float operated valve will then maintain a substantially constant quantity of air in the tank. The priming process may 'then be considered completed.

With the priming process completed and the system operating as desired, then, whenever the pressure switch opens the electrical circuit, the' pump will cease operating and subsequent usage of the water .from the tank through discharge pipe F will cause the water' level in the tank to recede until it drops below the opening 56. The water level withinthe chamber 57 will likewisere cede to the lower level of openingV 56 thereby tending to keep the valve closed slightly longer because of the decrease of the weight within the tloat chamber. The water within the chamber beneath the lower level of opening -56 is, however, permanently trapped and provides the necessary weighting of the lloat for subsequentvalve opening and closing purposes. It will be understood that since the pressure inside of the tank exceeds the pressure within'pipe 20 (which is atmospheric), the valve will remain seated or closed until the weight within chamber 57 is adequate to overcome thereitect of this pressure differential. Thus, in a lb.-60 lb. pumping system, the minimumkpressure within the tank is 40 lbs. greater than atmospheric (at 40 lbs. tank pressure, the pump commences operating and keeps operating until the pressure within the tank reaches 60 lbs., at which pressure the Vpump ceases operating and Vremains inoperative until tank pressure drops to 40 lbs). The dotted line I in FIGURE 1 In' the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 4'the oat is made up of the upper and lower cylindrical'shell sections @6a `and 43a closed at, their opposite ends by means of V.identically jfabricated capsj4fib, 44e and 44d (for cost cutting purposes). The closed chamber 51a functions the same as chamberSl of FGUREB and g chamber 57a functions the same as chamber 57 of FIG'- i' tion thesame asthe corresponding components lith-)l and 31a of FIGURE@ andan opening (not shown) similar to opening of FIGURE 3 would be provided in cas-v Ving 36a to function the same as opening 55 ofjFIGURE i,

Several cycles of v 33 of FIGURE 3.

adesso? 3. The upper cap 44d provides a cylindrical pocket into which the cylindrical base dla of the resilient valve block lfb is secured. The flat end face ttlc of the valve block coacts with the circular valve seat 33a, The valve block is provided with a combined guiding and scavenging pin 43a the upper end of which projects into passage 37a which opens into counterbore 35a of fitting 33a. As distinguished from the showing of FlGURE 3, the pin lila functions similarly to the valve stem d@ in guiding the up and Vdown movement of the float 42a while simultaneously scavenging the passage 37a during opening and closing of the valve. The threaded end 34a of the fitting 33a functions the same as the threaded end 3d of fitting The pin 49a may have its lower end formed with a transverse loop 4% imbedded in the valve block base Lila (as best shown in FIGURE 5).

Throughout the foregoing specification I have described a pumping system in which the tank pressure range is` rccited as being 4i) lbs. for commencing pump operation and lbs. for terminating pump operation. lt has been found that if the various components, chamber sizes, passage sizes and opening sizes of the float assembly are fabricated as shown in FlGURE 3, that the resultant air volume control will function satisfactorily in a well system in which the lower end of the pressure range is as high as 95 lbs.-that is, a system in which the pump commences operating when the interior tank pressure drops to 95 lbs. Thus, the showing of FIGURE 3 can be considered substantially actual size. As an example of meterials to be used, the components shown in FIGURE 3 can be of synthetic resin except that the pin Sila may be of stainless steel and the valve block lib may be of rubber or other resilient material having the characteristics of rubber.

In the form of the invention as shown in FGURES 6 through l0 the air volume control is mounted in the side wall of the storage tank 6 6 and the float assembly lies generally in a horizontal plane. The pumping system may, for example, be of the submersible type in which the wel casing 67 extends downwardly' into-the ground to the subterranean water level and the pump and the motor unit (not shown) would, of course, be submerged in the water within the well casing. The drop pipe 63 may be urovided with the bleeders 69 and 7G which function in the same manner as bleeders 17 and l. A check valve 7l functions in the manner of check valve 2d. The water distributor 72 may be in the form of a coupling which is removably connected to the side wall of the well casing and communicates with the pipe 73 which delivers the water into the storage tank. The coupling 72 may be of the type shown in my Patent No. 2,918,972.

The float '75 may consist of similar end casings 76 and 77 which are telescopically mounted on and secured to the cylindrical stubs 7S and 79 of the partition member Si). The casings '76 and 77 can be fabricated identically to the end cap 4.6 of FGRUE 3 to permit tooling cost reduction The partition member Si? is likewise fabricated identically to the item i4 of FIGURE 3 for the purpose of reducing tooling costs. The chamber Si is thus closed off from chamber S2 by means of partition member 343. One end of the float has a stem 83 threaded into the boss 84. The other end `of the stem projects through an opening 86 in lever 37 and is bent at 39 so as to extend through an opening 88 `in the base El of the lever. A washer 953 holds the stem secure with reference to the lever. The lever may be in the form of a` stamping having the aforementioned base 9i. and laterally projecting fulcrurn arms 92 and 93 which are loosely mounted in the axial bores of fulcrum screws 9d and 95. The screws are threaded securely into the side bosses 96 and 97 of thecastin 93. rl`he lever S7 is thus free to rock about the axis of the fulcrum arms $2 and 93. A yoke lil@ is provided at the opposite end of the lever and embraces valve stem Still between the washers i432 and 1193 which are anchored to the stern. A valve seat libia is secured within washer N2 and engages the valve seat filtri for closing off cornmunication between atmosphere and the interior of the tank. The valve seat filliis formed at the end of valve casing ldd which is secured within the nut N6 which is threaded into the casting 98.

Viewing FGURE 7 the float is shown in a position in which the valve is open. rhe outermost half of the float 77 has an opening lil in the wall thereof to permit the entry of water into the chamber 2 in the same manner as opening 56 of FIGURE 3 functions. In the virgin cycle of operation of the pumping system of FIGURE 6, the chamber 32 is empty and consequently the float rises more rapidly to close the valve feti/2a against the valve seat ldd thereby assuring a larger quantity of air in the tank than would otherwise be possible. When the water rises above the float, the chamber S3 becomes substantially filled and remains so on subsequent operations of the pump.

A pressure responsive switch lli? may be connected to the casting 98 by having a hollow fitting lll threaded into the boss lf2 thereby establishing communication between the interior of the switch and the interior of the storage tank. The pressure switch is of conventional construction as is pressure switch H of FGURE l. lf desired, a pressure gauge F13 may have its fitting lid threaded into the side of the casting 93 so as to have communication with the interior of the storage tank.

I claim:

1. A water pumping and storing apparatus comprising: a hollow casing extending down into the ground to the source of water; a water feed pipe within the casing; a water and air storage tank, said tank having an inlet in communication with the feed pipe for receiving the water from the feed pipe; pumping apparatus connected with the feed pipe for pumping the water from the source through the feed pipe and into the storage tank; means connected with the feed pipe for admitting air into the storage tank during activation of the pumping apparatus and control means for expelling excessive air from the storage tank, said last means including a valve and a float connected with the valve for effecting opening and closing thereof in accordance with the water level within the tank, said float having a walled chamber with an opening in the wall establishing communication between the interior of the storage tank and the interior of the chamber, whereby the water within the storage tank enters the chamber to add weight to the float.

2. A water pumping and storing apparatus comprising: a hollow Casinor extending down into the ground to the source of water; a water feed pipe within the casing; a water and air storage tank, said tank having an inlet in communication with the feed pipe for receiving the water from the feed pipe; pumping apparatus connected with the feed pipe for pumping the water from the source through the feed pipe and into the storage tank; said storage tank having an air discharge opening for establishing communication between the interior of the tank and the atmosphere; means connected with the feed pipe for adding air into the storage tank and control means for expelling excessive air from the storage tank, said last means including: a valve mounted at the air discharge opening; a float connected with the valve for effecting the opening and closing of the air discharge opening in accordance with the water level within the tank, said float having a walled chamber with an opening in the wall establishing communication between the interior of the storage tank and the interior of the chamber, whereby the water within the storage tank enters the chamber to add weight to the tloat.

3. A water pumping and storing apparatus comprising: a hollow casing extending down into the ground to the source of water; a water feed pipe within the casing; a water and air storage tank, said tank having an inlet in communication with the feed pipe for receiving the water from the feed pipe; pumping apparatus connected with the feed pipe for pumping the water from the source through the feed pipe and into the storage tank; said storage tank having an air discharge opening for establishing communication between the interior of the tank and the atmosphere; means connected with the feed pipe for adding air into the storage tank and control means for expelling excessive air from the storage tank, said last means including: a valve mounted at the air discharge opening; a float connected With the valve for effecting the opening and closing of the air discharge opening in accordance with the water level within the tank, said oat comprising a hollow casing having a chamber closed to the interior of the storage tank and an additional chamber with an opening in the casing to establish communication between the interior or" the storage tank and the interior of the additional chamber, whereby the water within the storage tank enters the additional chamber to add Weight to the float.

4. A water pumping and storing apparatus comprising: a hollow casing extending downl into the ground to the source of Water; a water feed pipe within the casing; a water and air storage tank, said tank having an inlet in communication with the feed pipe for receiving the water from the feed pipe; pumping apparatus Connected with the feed pipe for pumping the water from the source through the feed pipe and into the storage tank; said storage tank having an'air discharge opening for establishing communication between the interior of the tank and the atmosphere; means connected with the feed pipe for adding air into the storage tank and control means for expelling excessive air from the storage tank, said last means including: a valve mounted at the the air discharge opening; a float connected with the valve for effecting the opening and closing of the air discharge opening in accordance with the water level within the tank, said float comprising a hollow casing having a chamber closed to the interior of the storage tank and an additional chamber with an opening in the casing to establish communication between the interior of the storage tank and the interior of the additional chamber, said opening being situated in the casing, whereby the quantity of water within the additional chamber varies in accordance with the water level within the tank.

5. A water pumping and storing a pparatus comprising: a hollow casing extending down into the ground to the source of water; a water feed pipe within the casing; a water and air storage tank, said tank having an inlet in communication with the feed pipe for receiving the water from the feed pipe; pumping apparatus connected with the feed pipe for pumping the water from the source through the feed pipe and into the storage tank; said storage tank having an air discharge opening for establishing communication between the interior of the tank and the atmosphere; control means for expelling excessive air from the storage tank, said last means including: a valve mounted at the air discharge opening; a float connected with the valve for effecting the opening and closing of the air discharge opening in accordance with the water level Within the tank, said oat having a walled chamber with an opening in the wall establishing communication between the interior of the storage tank and the interior of the chamber, whereby the water within the storage tank enters the chamber to add weight to the float, said opening being situated in the chamber wall whereby the quantity of water within the chamber varies in accordance with the water level within the tank.

6. For use in controlling the opening and closing of an air discharge opening in a liquid storage tank in accord- Cil ,teaser ance with the change of the level of the liquid within the tank; a valve and oat assembly comprising: a stationary sleeve having an opening at its lower end and having a passage at its upper end communicating with the tank air discharge opening; a valve seat in the passage; a hollow casing telescopically received within and capable of movement relative to the sleeve; a valve member on the casing for engaging the valve seat to close olf the sleeve passage when the liquid within the tank reaches a predetermined level; said casing having an opening therein for establishing communication between the interior of the casing and the interior of the storage tank, whereby the liquid within the tank enters the casing opening and said sleeve having an opening therein near its upper end for establishing communication between the interior of the tank and the interior of the sleeve.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the casing opening is situated below the uppermost end of the casing,

whereby the quantity of liquid within the casing decreases when the level of the liquid in the tank recedes below the uppermost end of the casing.

S. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the casing and valve member are freely received within the sleeve and means on the sleeve limit the movement of the casing and valve member in valve opening direction.

9. For use in controlling the opening and closing of an air discharge opening in a liquid storage tank in accordance with the change of the level of the liquid within the tank; a valve and float assembly comprising: a sleeve having a closure wall at the upper end thereof with means for securing the sleeve relative to the tank; said closure wall having a passage therein communicating with Vthe tank air discharge opening; a Valve seat in the passage; a hollow casing telescopically received within and capable of rectilinear movement relative to the sleeve; a valve member anchored at the end of the casing for engaging the valve seat to close off the closure wall passage when the liquid within the tank reaches a predetermined level; said casing having an opening therein for establishing communication between the interior of the casing andthe interior of the storage tank, whereby the liquid in the tank enters the casing opening and said sleeve having an opening beneath the valve seat for establishing communication between the interior of the tank and the interior of the sleeve and said sleeve having an additional opening at the lower end thereof establishing communication between the interior of the sleeve and the interior of the tank.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the outer wall of the casing is spaced from the inner Wall of the sleeve to accommodate a column of liquid between the sleeve and casing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Sanders et al 103-6l LAURJNCE1 V. EFNER, Primary Examiner` v 

1. A WATER PUMPING AND STORING APPARATUS COMPRISING: A HOLLOW CASING EXTENDING DOWN INTO THE GROUND TO THE SOURCE OF WATER; A WATER FEED PIPE WITHIN THE CASING; A WATER AND AIR STORAGE TANK, SAID TANK HAVING AN INLET IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE FEED PIPE FOR RECEIVING THE WATER FROM THE FEED PIPE; PUMPING APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE FEED PIPE FOR PUMPING THE WATER FROM THE SOURCE THROUGH THE FEED PIPE AND INTO THE STORAGE TANK; MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE FEED PIPE FOR ADMITTING AIR INTO THE STORAGE TANK DURING ACTIVATION OF THE PUMPING APPARATUS AND CONTROL MEANS FOR EXPELLING EXCESSIVE AIR FROM THE STORAGE TANK, SAID LAST MEANS INCLUDING A VALVE AND A FLOAT CONNECTED WITH THE VALVE FOR EFFECTING OPENING AND CLOSING THEREOF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WATER LEVEL WITHIN THE TANK, SAID FLOAT HAVING A WALLED CHAMBER WITH AN OPENING IN THE WALL ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF THE STORAGE TANK AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CHAMBER, WHEREBY THE WATER WITHIN THE STORAGE TANK ENTERS THE CHAMBER TO ADD WEIGHT TO THE FLOAT. 